Stories from Friday, April 12, 2013

The Monett R-1 School Board made financial and staffing decisions during its March meeting. Board members agreed to extend the "One to the World" laptop computer program at the high school for every student to the middle school. To secure the equipment, a resolution passed for a lease purchase of 400 MacBook Air computers from Apple Computers, one for each seventh and eighth grade student...

After a thorough search Monett R-1 School Board approved Josh Graves to lead the boys' basketball program next season. The board took action at its reorganization meeting on Thursday, April 11. "I am excited about the opportunity to coach at Monett," said Graves. "The school is known for its high academic standards, being progressive by adding technology to the classroom and for having outstanding athletes."...

In honor of the 62nd annual National Day of Prayer, Monett will host a prayer breakfast from 7 to 8 a.m. on Thursday, May 2, at the Monett Area YMCA. The event is sponsored by the Monett Chamber of Commerce and the Monett Ministerial Association. The Monett Kiwanis Club will serve the complimentary breakfast...

Providing a rich tone on the slow movement of the Violin Concerto #2 by Wieniawski, 15 year-old Mariah Murphy provided a stunning example of what a young musician can do as junior division soloist in the Ozark Festival Orchestra's Young Artist Concert on April 7 at Monett City Hall Auditorium...

A group of Pierce City artists displayed their latest creations at Bookmarks bookstore in Pierce City on April 6. The Pierce City Arts Council also met during the showing and made plans for the fifth annual Pierce City Arts Festival, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 18...

The Monett Middle School Student Council attended the Missouri Association of Student Councils State Convention at Washington High School in Washington, Mo., on March 14-16. Our MMS Student Council sponsors, Amy Barker and Amber Tinsley, brought four representatives to the convention: Kara Turner, Chloe George, Emily Webb, and John Schupbach. These students were one of the more than 700 students and 200 advisors from across Missouri...

The Cox Monett Hospital emergency room main entrance will be closed beginning at noon on Friday, April 12 and Monday, April 15 to install new flooring. The main entrance for patients and visitors will be through the ambulance entrance during this time. Staff will direct patients to the temporary entrance...

During the shortened work week of April 1 in Jefferson City, we went back to the House Bills on the consent calendar. A few bills will impact our district. House Bill 440 went to the Senate. This bill will exempt cottage food producers from inspections by the health departments. This will allow home-canned foods, like jellies, etc., to be sold at farmer's markets and fairs among other things, without government intrusion. I think this is a step in the right direction, and I supported the bill...

The annual report of service for Loaves and Fishes presented at the local organization's volunteer luncheon this week offered good news. Started in 1973 as a church Sunday school project, Loaves and Fishes has grown into a $50,000-a-year service. The latest report reflected the reversal of a four-year trend of higher costs and a lower number of meals served...

Dear Editor: For years, millions of people in our country have had to stand by and watch as our loved ones are stolen from us by Alzheimer's disease. Let us, as Americans, stand up and take action to get more research funding for our follow Americans that have this devastating disease. It affects the younger generations as well as older people...

Dear Editor: I am a "sports" mother from Verona who attends all the sporting events at our school. Our students and patrons absolutely love Jared Lankford! We have adopted him as one of our own. Even sitting in the stands, you can hear people say, "Have you seen Jared? Is he coming tonight?"...

Patricia M. Volner, age 88, of Stotts City, died at 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10 at Mercy Hospital in Joplin. Plans are incomplete, under the direction of Lakiin Funeral Home in Pierce City.